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Lieutenant Philip Ross '17 Speaks at Veterans Day Assembly
On Friday, November 6, alumnus and member of the U.S. Navy Lieutenant Philip Ross ’17 spoke to the Hopkins community at Assembly in honor of Veterans Day.
“Hopkins School does not take Veterans Day off from school. We come and honor it,” said Assistant Head of School John Roberts while introducing Ross. “We invite back someone from our community. Faculty, staff, alums who have served come and talk to us about their experience and the power and meaning of Veterans Day,” he added.
Ross returned to the Hill to speak about his experience as an active member of the United States Navy. To begin his speech, he took the community back to his first day at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, when he took the oath with 1,100 other midshipmen, learning what it meant to be part of something larger than oneself.
“We are a fiercely bonded group who, despite our differences, are connected through a shared belief in the American experience,” Ross said. “When a group of people is united by a shared set of values, a common goal, and great leaders, their differences become secondary to what connects them.”
Ross said that what connects the United States military to become more than the sum of its parts is a “humanity, belief in freedom, and a dedication to serve and protect others.”
“You become part of a greater team,” Ross said.
During a moving moment of his speech, Ross asked each student to stand and then asked portions of them to sit down to represent soldiers who are lost in battle.
Ross underscored how veterans’ individual sacrifices were rooted in their belief in democracy, liberation, and self-determination.
“Those veterans were and are our ancestors, brothers, sisters, friends, and family,” Ross said. “Their sacrifice is both a gift to future generations and a call to action.”
To close the speech, Ross asked the audience to find where they can serve others.
“Don’t let this holiday be a day off, but a time to remember those who came before and ask, ‘How can I serve, too?’ Thank you, and have a happy Veterans Day.”
Following his speech, Ross answered wide-ranging questions from students about his personal experiences in the Navy, what attracted him to that branch of the military, and what he learned at Hopkins that helped him through his life and in his current career.
Ross also presented John Roberts with a challenge coin—a medallion that began by being passed between units as a way of showing gratitude.
“This is a token to say thank you for an amazing education and the experience to come back here,” Ross explained.
Watch the full speech below.
Hopkins is a private middle school and high school for grades 7-12. Located on a campus overlooking New Haven, CT, the School takes pride in its intellectually curious students as well as its dedicated faculty and staff.
Hopkins School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.